Government Focuses on Central Expressway, Puts Ruwanpura Expressway on Hold
The government has decided to temporarily halt the construction of the Ruwanpura Expressway due to budget constraints, according to Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways, Dr. Prasanna Gunasena. He clarified that the project is not abandoned but will not commence this year as there are no financial allocations for it in the current budget.
The Ruwanpura Expressway was planned to run from Kahathuduwa to Ratnapura via Horana and Ingiriya. However, the government is prioritizing other projects, leading to this temporary suspension.
Meanwhile, more focus is being placed on completing the Central Expressway, particularly the Kurunegala–Galagedara section. This part of the highway will be built in two phases: Pothuhera–Rambukkana and Rambukkana–Galagedara. The government aims to complete the first section by next year, while the second phase is expected to be finished in three years.
Additionally, the long-delayed Kadawatha–Meerigama section of the Central Expressway is set to resume with financial support from China. Representatives from the China Exim Bank are expected to visit Sri Lanka to assess and facilitate the funding for the project.
With limited resources, the government is focusing on making better use of existing highways and completing key ongoing projects rather than starting new ones.
